Robert Franzblau

Academic Background

Dr. Robert Franzblau serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Rhode Island College, a position he has held since 1997. In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds, his duties include teaching courses in conducting and music education at the graduate and undergraduate levels; he also serves as the Assistant Chair in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Under his direction, the Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble has recently performed at regional conventions of the College Band Directors National Association and the Music Educators National Conference. In 2004 he founded the Music Institute at Rhode Island College, a summer honors camp for talented high school musicians; in 2006 the Institute expanded to include chorus and strings as well as winds.

Dr. Franzblau earned the Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa; studied conducting with John P. Paynter at Northwestern University, earning a Master of Music; and received his Ph.D. in music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His dissertation, titled "Aesthetic Education as a Subversive Activity: A Phenomenological Case Study of Robert Kapilow" explored the freelance music education career of this unique composer/commentator, a frequent performer in the Boston area and across the country. This research has influenced Franzblau's own career in several educational concerts, presented at local, state, and national levels, exploring the wind music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Philip Sousa, and Percy Grainger. He is a contributing author to the Instrumentalist magazine and to Meredith Music Publications.

He is the founder and conductor of the Rhode Island Wind Orchestra, a chamber wind ensemble of professional musicians. Previous college teaching experience includes positions at Doane College in Nebraska and the University of Louisville; public school teaching experience includes five years in Wisconsin. He continues to serve the band and music education professions as past president and board member of the New England College Band Association and as executive board member of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association. He is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for bands throughout the country.